Photo: Black Oystercatcher by Philip Dickinson
March 26, 2024
The skies cleared as we approached Skagit County, and we enjoyed a beautiful day of birding along the shores of Skagit Bay and Padilla Bay. Along the way, we saw several songbirds on Valentine Rd., including Varied Thrush, Red-breasted Nuthatch and Anna’s Hummingbird. Then, as neared La Conner, we were surprised by the large number of Trumpeter Swans still in the fields. A pair of Pileated Woodpeckers flew over Swinomish Channel at Pioneer Park, where we also saw Belted Kingfishers, Common Mergansers and a Common Goldeneye. Kiket Island did not disappoint. Highlights were Black Oystercatcher, Red-breasted Merganser, Common Loon, Hooded Merganser, Herring Gull, Rufous Hummingbird and Hutton’s Vireo. We failed to find expected Wilson’s Snipe at Similk Beach, but we did add Northern Pintail and Short-billed Gull to our species count. Closeup Black Oystercatchers, distant Brants, Greater Yellowlegs and numerous Great Blue Herons were the features along our March Point drive. Channel Drive and Hayton Reserve did not add significantly to our species, but we enjoyed a Northern Harrier and a photogenic Bald Eagle along with hundreds of American Wigeon and Green-winged Teal.
61 species (approx. qty.)
Attendees: Phil, Mary, Sally Jo, Dianne, Rex, Jeff, Ken, Teri, Rick, Pam T., Maureen Z., Judy Lo., Val, Marcia, Catha, Judy B., Lianne, Wilma, Sue B., Randy, Sarah
CHECKLIST:
WATERFOWL: Snow Goose (100), Brant (200), Canada Goose (2), Trumpeter Swan (250), Gadwall (6), American Wigeon (700), Mallard (1000), Northern Pintail (90), Green-winged Teal (2500), Surf Scoter (15), Bufflehead (125), Common Goldeneye (10), Hooded Merganser (7), Common Merganser (2), Red-breasted Merganser (26)
LOON, GREBES: Common Loon (1), Pied-billed Grebe (4), Horned Grebe (4)
PELICANS, HERONS, IBIS: Pelagic Cormorant (3), Double-crested Cormorant (4), Great Blue Heron (67)
VULTURE: Turkey Vulture (1)
RAPTORS: Northern Harrier (4), Bald Eagle (12), Red-tailed Hawk (3)
SHOREBIRDS: Killdeer (2), Black Oystercatcher (7), Greater Yellowlegs (8)
GULLS, TERNS: Short-billed Gull (21), Herring Gull (1), Glaucous-winged Gull (250)
ALCIDS: Pigeon Guillemot (3)
DOVES, PIGEONS: Rock Pigeon (18), Eurasian Collared-Dove (3)
HUMMINGBIRDS: Anna’s Hummingbird (3), Rufous Hummingbird (3)
KINGFISHER: Belted Kingfisher (5)
WOODPECKERS: Hairy Woodpecker (2), Northern Flicker (1)
SHRIKES, VIREOS: Hutton’s Vireo (1)
CORVIDS: Steller’s Jay (1), American Crow (12)
LARKS, SWALLOWS: Violet-green Swallow (1)
CHICKADEES, BUSHTIT: Black-capped Chickadee (1)
NUTHATCHES, CREEPER: Red-breasted Nuthatch (1), Brown Creeper (2)
WRENS: Pacific Wren (2)
KINGLETS: Golden-crowned Kinglet (2), Ruby-crowned Kinglet (1)
THRUSHES: American Robin (34), Varied Thrush (2)
MIMIDS, STARLING: European Starling (2)
WARBLERS: Yellow-rumped Warbler (2)
LONGSPURS, SPARROWS: Spotted Towhee (1), Song Sparrow (5), White-crowned Sparrow (3), Dark-eyed Junco (8)
BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES: Red-winged Blackbird (38), Brewer’s Blackbird (22)
FINCHES, WEAVER FINCH: House Finch (2), House Sparrow (2)
Looking for more local places to go birding?
Check out our newly revised, 3rd edition of Birding in Snohomish County & Camano Island, a field guide to the best birding locations in Snohomish County and Camano Island, Washington.
A full-color, updated and expanded 3rd edition of Philip Zalesky’s original book, Birding in Snohomish County and Camano Island, 3rd Edition is a celebration of the variety and bountiful birding locations in the area. With habitats ranging from marine to alpine, the diversity of species that can be found here are a birder’s dream.
This new edition covers more than 80 locations, noting general information about the sites and which birds are common at each. Philip Zalesky’s original site descriptions have been revised and updated, including new observations, recent sightings, and historical and natural history information. Our local birders have added their own interesting anecdotes, including the many ways things have changed since the 2nd edition was published in 2001. Local bird photographers have contributed over 100 full-color photographs showing the splendor of our local birds and the wondrous beauty of the birding habitats found in our area. A checklist includes all 355 species of birds ever sighted in Snohomish County and Camano Island.
We hope this book will guide you to new areas you haven’t explored yet, or give you an idea of where to start if you’re visiting Western Washington.
All proceeds will help fund local conservation efforts in Snohomish County and Camano Island.